Gunnison Diversion Dam - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO Well constructed dam that diverts the flow of the Gunnison River

The Gunnison Diversion Dam is located along the Gunnison River approximately twelve miles to the east of Montrose. The dam diverts the Gunnison River's direct flow and releases water from the Taylor Park Dam into the Gunnison Tunnel. The dam's structural height reaches sixteen feet high. It was originally designed to be eleven feet wide and only twelve feet high with an arched roof, but several modifications were made and the height was expanded.

The canal on the south end of the dam extends from the end of the Gunnison Tunnel to the southwest approximately 11.4 miles toward the Uncompahgre River. Part of the canal is concrete lined and the remainder of the canal is not lined. The canal has an initial capacity of 1,010 cubic feet per second.

The western canal portion extends to the northwest about 21 miles from the Uncompahgre River. This unlined canal has an initial capacity of 172 cubic feet per second. The West Canal portion is diverted directly from the South Canal and a timber and metal flume carries the canal across the Uncompahgre River. A small diversion has been created for winter flows from the Uncompahgre River. The canal is both useful and practical.

Read about other Paonia tourist attractions:

• Gunnison Point - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO Spectacular views of the gorge and Gunnison River